Camera

The camera is a write-off. If you're after a child-centric tablet, it is safe to presume that the intended user doesn't have a (probably more expensive and higher-spec) smartphone or any other kind of handheld device yet (if that's not the case, look away now).

So we're disappointed that the Archos ChildPad doesn't have a rear-facing camera. Granted, taking photos in public with a tablet is not something a right-thinking adult would do, but we don't see why kids should have to carry around multiple gadgets with them.

Taking any kind of pictures aside from self portraits with the Archos ChildPad's built-in VGA-quality front-facing camera is virtually impossible, but we've no complaints about the basic quality of these shots; they are what they are.

The camera app provided is the standard vanilla Android version, but comes without without any tweaks, aside from a location toggle.

Battery life

For a gadget that's presumably designed to be harder-wearing that most, and also likely to be tossed around and left for days on end, the battery life is shamefully short.

In our long-term test the Archos ChildPad consistently seemed to drain of juice very quickly, and in no session did it make it past the four-hour mark. If left alone for four days a full battery discharges to about 50%.

Benchmarks

The Archos ChildPad didn't do well on the benchmark tests either, managing an average of just 4140ms on SunSpider, making it about 50% slower than higher-spec tablets. That said, it's definitely got enough processing power for games and video.

Universal browser tester PeaceKeeper produced an average score of 232, which is not great; browsing is mostly off-limits if the filter is activated, but besides that it's one of the Archos ChildPad's definite low points as an experience - though never unusable.

Tech Specs

Product Type

Kids Tablet

Brand Name

Archos

Manufacturer

Archos Technology

Product Name

Childpad 80

Manufacturer Part Number

502419

Manufacturer Website Address

http://www.archos.com

Marketing Information

Archos introduces its new ChildPad tablet: The Archos ChildPad 80. Running the latest Android™ version "Jelly Bean" this 8'' Tablet is specially designed to entertain kids. Thanks to the Kids zone app, discover a selection of the best games, educational and funny apps.